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7.4/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 7.4/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Pugs and Kisses remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you like old-school, punchy humor that doesn't overstay its welcome, you will probably dig Pugs and Kisses. It’s got that specific, frantic energy from the era where people talked fast and moved faster.
If you need a logical plot or high-budget polish, stay away. This is for the folks who get a kick out of seeing Shemp Howard just being himself in a tight space.
The whole thing feels like it was filmed in an afternoon on a studio backlot that had seen better days. That’s not a knock, really. It gives the movie this desperate, sweaty charm.
Everything moves so fast that you barely have time to notice the gaps in the story. One minute they are arguing about a misunderstanding, and the next, someone is tripping over a rug for the third time.
It’s funny how much this reminds me of the chaotic energy found in The Big Idea. Both films have this sense that the walls are closing in on the actors.
There is a scene involving a dog that is just... bizarre. It lingers for about ten seconds too long, and you can see the actor struggling to keep a straight face. It’s the kind of thing you only notice if you aren't scrolling through your feed while watching. 🐕
The dialogue is snappy, but sometimes it feels like they’re just shouting at each other to fill the void. I don't mind that, though. It feels honest.
It isn't a masterpiece. It isn't even a particularly well-made film by modern standards. But it has this spunk. It doesn't care if you think it's silly. Sometimes, that is exactly what you need on a Tuesday night.